MARLBOROUGH – Former Superintendent Mary Jo Nawrocki is back at the helm of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School until the School Committee selects a permanent superintendent.

The School Committee voted Tuesday night to appoint Nawrocki as interim superintendent, following the resignation of Superintendent Patrick Collins last month.

Nawrocki, who was already in the superintendent’s office Wednesday, will work in the district for a minimum of three days a week during her stint as interim school chief. Nawrocki spent 38 years at Assabet, spending her last four-and-a-half as superintendent before retiring last summer.

She said yesterday that she views he job as to "just maintain the course," ensuring that the school, which is in the middle of a $62 million renovation project, is ready to open for the start of classes.

Nawrocki said that the details of her contract for the interim position haven’t yet been finalized.

When Collins resigned last month, he and the School Committee issuing a joint statement citing philosophical differences. His resignation came after a period of turmoil when he was accused of trying to oust well-liked principal Mark Hollick. Collins has since been appointed as Lincoln-Sudbury’s business manager.

School Committee Vice Chairman Paul George said on Wednesday that the board is happy to have Nawrocki back at the helm.

"We’re ecstatic," he said. "She is such a positive person – she has worked in the school 38 years. She knows everybody and everything about Assabet."

Kendall Hatch can be reached at 508-490-7453 or khatch@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kendall_HatchMW.